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Washington Teacher Surprised with Milken Educator Award and $25,000 Cash

The 2014 “Oscar of Teaching” Was Presented by Milken Family Foundation’s
Dr. Jane Foley in Spokane

November 05, 2014

SANTA MONICA, CA — State Superintendent Randy Dorn and other special guests made a surprise appearance this morning in Spokane at Adams Elementary’s schoolwide assembly.

Students and faculty packed the gym and watched as Milken Family Foundation Senior Vice President Jane Foley, PhD, announced that Adams Elementary School 6th-grade teacher Karen Krantz is Washington’s 2014–15 Milken Educator Award recipient. She joins 40 of America’s most outstanding elementary school educators who will receive the honor this year. Krantz is the only Washington recipient. The national recognition comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.

In addition to State Superintendent Dorn, on hand to add their congratulations were State Representative Jeff Holy, Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Shelley Redinger, Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart and Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors member Deana Brower.

“Her focus on student achievement is extraordinary,” said Dorn. “Ms. Krantz is a role model for both students and educators. Her dedication and hard work are reflected in her exceptional results.”

Krantz is a National Board Certified teacher with a specialty in Literacy. She transforms the lives of her students at Adams Elementary School by creating a culture of excellence and academic rigor that raises achievement.

Krantz is one of up to 40 recipients across the country this school year who will be receiving the honor during the 2014-15 season and the only one in Washington. The Milken Award recognizes exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists who are furthering excellence in education. The award comes with an unrestricted financial award of $25,000. Past recipients have used their Awards to finance their children’s education or their own continuing education. Others have financed dream field trips, established scholarships and even funded the adoption of children.

Along with the recognition typically bestowed to recipients, now belongs to a network of more than 2,600 K-12 teachers, principals and specialists from around the country.

The Milken Family Foundation first presented the Milken Educator Awards in 1987. More than $137 million in funding, including over $65 million in individual $25,000 awards, has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients’ careers. 

Alternating yearly between elementary and secondary educators, the Awards are sourced through each participating state department of education, which appoints an independent blue ribbon committee to confidentially review candidates for recommendation to MFF.

To get regular updates on notifications, follow the #TeachForTheStars hashtag on Twitter.

For information about the Milken Educator Awards, visit http://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/media-kit or call MFF at (310) 570-4775.  Like the Awards at www.facebook.com/milkeneducatorawards, follow us at www.twitter.com/milken and watch the reaction videos at www.youtube.com/milkenaward.

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